WIP

WIP:  Work in process. 

I haven't yet unscrewed a bottle of ink or picked up a pen, but the project has been 'in process' for several days--in my head and in my imagination.  I don't know about you, but I have to think long and hard about a piece before I ever sit down at my drawing board and begin the actual work.  So much goes on in the creative process before I ever dip a pen.

This afternoon I'll pick up a pen and begin work on a commissioned piece--a quote by Martin Luther:

Here I stand.  I can do no other.  God help me.  Amen.

The Business of Thanksgiving

John Neal Bookseller.  If you're a calligrapher, I'm sure you know why I'm thankful for John and his great company.  Not only can you find just about anything you need, there are tips and testimonials and guidance is available if you need it.  The service is FANTASTIC and fast!

John Neal Bookseller:  My personal Wish Book!!

The Business of Thanksgiving

I'm thankful for a good night's sleep and a day away from the rigors of starting this business.  It's Bible Study Thursday, so I'm off to immerse myself in the book of Hebrews:

Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

I'm so thankful to have good friends like Dorothy and Carol, who meet with me, encourage me, and stir me up to love and good works!

The Business of Thanksgiving

Today I am particularly thankful for the exhilaration and potential of the blank page.

Update on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at 6:49PM by Kim

The blank page now has a lively yellow and blue water color wash, but no letters--yet!

To me, it's still a blank page.  A blank page that 'whispers' but hasn't yet found its voice.

The Business of Thanksgiving

Today I am grateful for my first two estimate requests as a result of the new website and an order for a commissioned piece that came in yesterday!  (thanks, Lisa!)  So much of my time has been spent on such things as building the website and setting up the business aspects that I haven't been able to work as much as I'd like to!

I'm also thankful for all the great small business resources that are available online.  It can be overwhelming at times, but it all needs to be done!

Some holiday place card ideas

The Business of Thanksgiving

Or perhaps that should be, The Thanksgiving of Business.

Starting a business can be grueling.  There's so much to do, there's so much to think about, so many decisions to make, and it all takes time!  Time away from lettering.  Time away from playing at the drawing board.  Time away from the things you want to do and time away from the things you have to do!  It can be both exhausting and exhilarating.

So, since the month of November is a time I set aside for thanksgiving, I have decided to put one more thing on my already full plate--I am going to slow down and take some time each day to reflect on the many blessings (and trials!) of getting this business up and running.

Proverbs 16:9 says, "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."

It is good for me to remember this as I am engaged in the planning and decision making process.

So, today, I am thankful for that reminder from scripture that it is the Lord who ultimately establishes my steps--in this business and in all of my life.

Would you like to read more expressions of Thanksgiving this month?  I, along with many other bloggers, are participating in the 4th annual November of Thanksgiving.  Have a blog?  Then you are invited to participate!  Don't have a blog?  Feel free to leave a note in my comments so that I can give thanks along with you!

Reference Strips

Here's an example of one of my reference strips--a quick check point I make for myself for different hands and nib sizes. 

 Why re-invent the wheel, right?

Note to Self

Lots left to do to get the website where it needs to be.  Wouldn't you know it?--my camera's LCD viewer cracked last week, making it that much harder to get stuff photographed and uploaded.

A word to the wise:  take a picture of everything, even the 'one and done' projects; you never know when you might want to do it again!  I regret that I've been so lax at keeping up with making a record of my work.

That's about to change!  : D